Design and Implementation of IoT-Based Solar Tracking System by IRJET Journal

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 12 Issue: 12 | Dec 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

Design and Implementation of IoT-Based Solar Tracking System

Prof.

S. K. Ambulkar1 , Dharati Tarar2, Sahili Gabhane3, Utkarsha Thaware4 , Vaibhavi Motghare5

1,2,3,4,5 Department of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Karmaveer Dadasaheb Kannamwar College of Engineering Nagpur, India.

Abstract - To increase the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) panels, this study presents the design and development of a dual-axis solar tracking system based on Arduino. Traditional fixed solar panels are less energy efficient overall because they only produce their maximum power during a few hours of the sun's rays. The suggested system uses Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) to detect the amount of sunlight and an Arduino Uno microcontroller to process the signals to solve this problem. The solar panel is oriented both horizontally and vertically by means of servo motors, which guarantee that it faces the sun all day long. The system is a realistic, economical, and sustainable method of utilizing solar energy because it is built for realtime responsiveness, dependability, and resistance to environmental influences. By providing a simple but efficient tracking mechanism, this work advances solar power technology and highlights its potential for broad use in both residential and commercial settings.

Keywords: Dual-axis solar tracker, Arduino Uno, Photovoltaic panels, Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs), Servo motors, Renewable energy, Energy efficiency.

1. INTRODUCTION

The use of renewable energy sources has increased due to the world's expanding energy needs, worries about the depletion of fossil fuels, and environmental damage. Because it is plentiful, clean, and sustainable, solar energy is one of the most promising substitutes among these.However,thefixedorientationofphotovoltaic(PV) panels frequently limits their efficiency, allowing maximum power generation only when the sun is perpendicular to the panel surface. Due to the sun's constant movement across the sky, fixed panels are less effective overall because they are unable to capture the bestamountofsunlightthroughouttheday.

To solve the limitations of fixed solar panels, engineers havedevelopedsolartrackingsystemsthatautomatically adjustthepositionofpanelstofollowthesun’spath.The first trackers appeared in the 1980s and were mainly used for large-scale projects. However, with advances in microcontrollers, sensors, and motors, solar trackers havebecomemoreaffordableandpractical,makingthem suitableforhomesandbusinessesaswell.

Solar trackers are generally divided into two types: single-axis and dual-axis. Single-axis trackers tilt the panels in one direction, which works well in tropical

regions.Dual-axistrackers,ontheotherhand,moveboth horizontally and vertically, capturing more sunlight and deliveringhigherefficiencyindifferentlocations.

Studies have shown clear benefits. Single-axis trackers can boost energy production by 10–25%, while dualaxis systems can achieve 27–50% or more, depending on their design and environment. Most modern systems use Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) to detect sunlight, along with servo motors and microcontrollers such as the Arduino Uno to keep the panels precisely aligned in real time. Some advanced systems even combine sensor-based tracking with scheduled movement and monitoring tools like LabVIEW for smartercontrol.

Beyond improving panel performance, solar tracking systems also make solar energy more cost-effective, sustainable, and quicker to pay back on investment. As the world pushes for greener technologies and reduced carbonemissions,automaticsolartrackersareemerging as a key part of the future, helping bridge the gap between the potential of solar energy and its real-world use.

2. Literature Survey

1. LDR-based Single-Axis Tracker with Fuzzy Logic Control

Authors:Sharmaetal. Year:2023

Publication: International Journal of Renewable Energy Research

KeyHighlights:

Method: Used Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) for sunlight detection, combined with fuzzy logic-based controlforasingle-axissolartracker.

Advantages: Low-cost sensing mechanism, relatively simpletoimplement,suitableforsmall-scalePVsystems. Disadvantages: Sensitive to dirt, shadows, and cloudy weather,whichreducesaccuracy.

Performance: Achieved about 15–20% more energy comparedtofixed-tiltpanels.

Impact:Demonstratedtheeffectivenessoffuzzylogicfor improving tracking response but highlighted the need forrobustsensorsinreal-worldconditions.

2. Single-Axis Tracker with Encoder Feedback and PID Control

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 12 Issue: 12 | Dec 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

Authors:Pateletal.

Year:2022

Publication:RenewableEnergyJournal

KeyHighlights:

Method: Designed a single-axis tracker that integrates encoder feedback with PID control for precise positioning.

Advantages: More accurate alignment with the sun, minimizeserrorcomparedtosensor-onlysystems.

Disadvantages: Higher mechanical complexity and cost duetotheencodersystem.

Performance: Delivered 18–25% efficiency gain comparedtofixedpanels.

Impact: Showed the potential of integrating control theory with solar tracking, making it more reliable for commercialuse.

3. Open-Loop Astronomical Single-Axis Tracker

Authors:Khanetal.

Year:2021

Publication:SolarEnergyJournal

KeyHighlights:

Method:Implementedanopen-loopastronomicalmodel, where the tracker adjusts based on calculated sun position(timeandlocation).

Advantages: No need for sensors, reduces chances of errorsduetoshadowsordirt.

Disadvantages:Requiresaccuratecalibrationandprecise location/time data; not adaptive to sudden weather changes.

Performance: Achieved 15–22% more energy output comparedtofixedpanels.

Impact: Proved that astronomical tracking is a lowmaintenance alternative but lacks flexibility in dynamic conditions.

4. Fuzzy Logic-Based Single-Axis Tracker

Authors: Kumaretal.

Year:2021

Publication: International Conference on Control & Automation

KeyHighlights:

Method: Used fuzzy logic algorithms to manage solar panelorientationalongasingleaxis.

Advantages: Provides smoother control compared to basic threshold-based systems, adapts to varying sunlightintensity.

Disadvantages: Requires careful tuning of fuzzy rules, whichmaycomplicateimplementation.

Performance: Showed 20–23% efficiency improvement overfixedpanels.

Impact: Contributed to the adoption of AI-inspired control systems in renewable energy, demonstrating flexibilityinuncertainweather.

5. Computer Vision-Assisted Single-Axis Tracker

Authors:Silvaetal.

Year:2020

Publication:JournalofSolarEnergyEngineering

KeyHighlights:

Method:Integratedcamera-basedimageprocessingwith solarpanelmovementtodetectsunlightdirection.

Advantages: Accurate alignment, independent of LDR or sensorerrorscausedbydust/shadows.

Disadvantages: Requires more power for image processing;performanceaffectedbyfog,dust,orglare.

Performance: Reported 22–25% gain in efficiency comparedtofixedtiltsystems.

Impact: Highlighted the potential of computer vision in solar energy but raised challenges of cost and power consumptionforsmall-scaleuse.

6. Sensor-less Single-Axis Tracker (Current/Voltage-

Based)

Authors:Ahmedetal.

Year:2019

Publication:IEEEAccess

KeyHighlights:

Method: Used current and voltage feedback from the PV panel itself (no external sensors) to detect optimal alignment.

Advantages: Reduced hardware requirements, simpler design,avoidssensorfailure.

Disadvantages:Slowerresponseduringrapidlychanging weatherconditions.

Performance: Produced 15–20% more power compared tofixedpanels.

Impact: Proved that sensor-less systems are practical and reduce cost but require improvement in response speed.

7. IoT-Enabled Single-Axis Tracker Authors:

Mehta etal.

Year:2018

Publication:InternationalJournalofSmartGrid

KeyHighlights:

Method: Designed a single-axis tracker with IoT connectivity,enablingremotemonitoringandcontrol.

Advantages: Allows predictive maintenance, reduces downtime,andintegrateswithsmartgrids.

Disadvantages: Increases cybersecurity risks and dependenceoninternetconnectivity.

Performance: Achieved 15–20% efficiency gain plus reducedoperationaldowntime.

Impact: Demonstrated how IoT integration can make solar tracking smarter, paving the way for future smart energysystems.

3. Objective

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 12 Issue: 12 | Dec 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

The objective of a solar tracking system using Arduino canbesummarizedasfollows:

Maximize Solar Energy Capture: The primary goal is to continuously orient solar panels towards the sun's position throughout the day, maximizing the amount of sunlightincidentonthepanelsurface.Thisdirectlyleads to higher energy generation compared to fixed solar panelinstallations.

Increase System Efficiency: By optimizing panel alignment, the system aims to enhance the overall efficiency of solar energy harvesting, ensuring that the solar panels operate closer to their maximum power point.

ImprovePowerOutput:Thesystemseekstosignificantly increase the electrical power output (voltage and current) generated by the solar panels, resulting in greaterenergyyieldoveragivenperiod.

Optimize Energy Utilization: For systems with battery storage, the objective includes ensuring efficient charging of batteries by maximizing the energy input fromthesolarpanels.

Reduce Dependency on Fixed Installations: The system aimstoprovideamoredynamicandefficientalternative to static solar panel setups, which are limited by a fixed orientationandcannotadapttothesun'smovement.

Cost-EffectivenessandAccessibility:UtilizinganArduino microcontroller and readily available components like LDRs and servo motors allows for the development of a relativelylow-costandaccessiblesolartrackingsolution, suitableforvariousapplications.

EducationalandResearchPlatform:Arduino-basedsolar trackers serve as excellent platforms for learning about electronics, programming, renewable energy, and automation, facilitating educational and research initiatives

4. Proposed Methodology

Initialization:

The system begins by powering up through the power supply. The Arduino microcontroller initializes its input and output pins, establishes communication with the LDRsensors,andpreparestocontroltheservomotor.

Light Sensor Data Collection:

Two Light Dependent Resistors (LDR1 and LDR2) are used as sunlight sensors. They continuously detect the intensity of sunlight. The Arduino reads their analog voltage values, which vary according to the amount of lightfallingonthem.

Comparison of Sensor Values:

The Arduino compares the readings from LDR1 and LDR2:

Ifbothsensorsreceivenearlyequallightintensity→ the solar panel is already aligned with the sun, and no movementisrequired.

Ifonesensorreceivesmoresunlightthantheother→the Arduinodeterminestherequireddirection ofmovement tobalancethereadings.

Servo Motor Control:

Based on the comparison, the Arduino sends a PWM control signal to the servo motor. The servo motor rotatesinsmallsteps,shiftingthesolarpaneltowardthe direction of maximum sunlight until the two LDR readingsarebalanced.

Solar Panel Adjustment:

The solar panel, mounted on the servo motor shaft, rotatesaccordingly.Thisensuresthatthepanelisalways aligned perpendicularly to the incoming sunlight, optimizingenergyabsorption.

Continuous Tracking:

Throughouttheday,asthesunmovesacrossthesky,the readings of LDR1 and LDR2 change. The Arduino continuously monitors and adjusts the solar panel orientation via the servo motor to keep it aligned with thesun’sposition.

Power Supply and Efficiency:

The system operates on a regulated DC power supply, ensuringuninterruptedfunctionoftheArduino,sensors, and servo motor. By dynamically tracking and aligning thepanel,thesystemmaximizessolarenergyharvesting, improvingtheoverallefficiencyofpowergeneration.

6. Conclusion

Solar tracking systems help solar panels work more efficiently by automatically following the sun’s movement throughout the day. Trackers built with Arduino, LDR sensors, and servo motors have shown to be reliable, affordable, and effective, even in low-light conditions. Studies have found that these systems can produce more energy than fixed solar panels, making them especially useful in rural areas and developing countries. In the future, using more sensitive and lowpowersensorscouldmakethesesystemsevenbetterand cheaper,showinggreatpromiseforimprovingtheuseof renewableenergyworldwide.

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

7. References

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[2] Arpita Borgave, Anirudh Yadav, Vrushabh Patil, Chetan Magdum,, Prasad Kumbhar, Prof. A. A. Malgave. “DualAxisSolarTrackingSystemwithWeatherSensors”. International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management (IJSREM) | Volume: 07 Issue:05|May–2023

[3] Ayush Giri, Kalpesh Kolte, Akshay Nangar, Aarti Gholap,PrajwalWakhare,PrashantPatunka.“Designand Fabrication of Dual Axis Solar Tracking System for PerformanceEnhancement”.Publishedin03-May-2023,J Fundam Renewable Energy Appl, Vol.13 Iss.1 No:1000304.

[4] Amul Ghodasara, Manish Jangid, Hrishikesh Ghadhesaria, Harshil Dungrani Prof. Brijesh Vala , Prof. Ravi Parikh. “A IOT Based Dual Axis Solar Tracker with Power Monitoring System” Easy Chair preprints are intended forrapiddisseminationofresearchresultsand are integrated with the rest of Easy Chair. February 27, 2021.

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[6]VMohanapriya,VManimegalai,VPraveenkumarand PSakthivel.“ImplementationofDualAxisSolarTracking System” First International Conference on Circuits, Signals,SystemsandSecurities(ICCSSS2020)11th-12th December2020,TamilNadu,India.

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